Rail-joint



J. CLANCY.

RAIL JOINT.

APPLICATION FILED OCT-6,1919.

Patented Jan. 27, 1920.

INVENTOR. BYJoim Clancy ATTORNEY.

WITNESS:

JOHN CLANCY, OF KENNER, LOUISIANA.

RAIL-JOINT.

Application filed October 6, 1919.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, JOHN CLANCY, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at Kenner, in the parish of Jefferson andState of Louisiana, have invented new and useful Iniprovements inRail-Joints, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to rail joints and has particular application tothe connecting bars, which are designed to accommodate the fasteningbolts in a manner to prevent bending or loosening of the bolts and nuts,and to also eliminate undue expansion between the meeting ends of therails.

To this end, the connecting bars are provided upon their innerconfronting faces with longitudinally disposed ribs through which thefastening bolt is passed the ribs unitedly reinforcing the bolt toprevent bending of the latter, while each of the connecting bars is alsoprovided upon its opposite face with a longitudinal groove to receivethe head of the bo t to prevent turning of the latter when subjected tovibration.

The nature and advantages of the invention will be better understoodwhen the following detail description is taken in connection with theaccompanying crznvings the invention residing in the construction,combination and arrangement of parts as claimed.

In the drawing forming part of this specification like numerals ofreference indicate similar parts in the several views and wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the rail joint showing my improvedconnecting bars.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken through one of the fasteningelements.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the connecting bars.

Referring to the drawing in detail, 10 and 11 indicate respectively themeeting ends of the rail which may be joined together in any suitablemanner, the particular construction of rail forming no part of theinvention. Arranged at the opposite side of the rail are the connectingbars 12 which are designed to receive or accommodate the fasteningelements or bolts 13 to prevent bending or loosening of the latter. Forthis purpose each of the connecting bars 12 is provided with alongitudinally extended rib 14 upon the inner side or face of the bar tolie against the web of the rail when Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 27, 1920.

Serial No. 328,688.

the bar is in position. Manifestly, the ribs M of the respective barsare arranged in horizontal alinement when the bars are arranged atopposite sides of the rail, and the ribs provided at suitably spacedintervals with alined openings 16 adapted to register with the openingin the webs of the railfor the reception of the fastening bolts 18. Thecombined width of the ribs 14: and the web of the rail. provide areinforcement for the bolt which prevents bending of the latter and alsominimizes the expansion of the rails between the meeting ends thereof.Each of the bars 12 is also provided upon its outer side with alongitudinally extended groove 17 the groove being shaped to receive thesquare head 18 of the fastening element 13. With the head 13 positionedwithin the groove, turning of the bolt is obviated when subjected tovibration. It will be noted from an inspection of Fi 1 that the boltsare passed through the rail and bars 12 so that the heads of the boltwill be alternately disposed at opposite sides of the rail. A nut 19 isassociated with each fastening bolt, while a washer 20 is also fittedupon the bolt and may if desired be in the form of a nut lock to preventretrograde movement of the nut.

Vfhile I have shown and described what I consider the preferredembodiment of the invention, I desire to have it understood that I donot limit myself in this connection in that such changes may be resortedto when desired as fall within the scope of what is claimed.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new is:

The combination with the meeting ends of the rail, of connecting barsarranged at opposite sides of the rail, each bar having longitudinallyextending ribs upon the inner face thereof and a longitudina ly extendedgroove upon the outer face thereof, fastening bolts passed through saidbars and through the alined ribs thereof and said grooves adapted toreceive the heads of the fastening element-s to prevent turning of thebolts, nuts secured to the opposite free ends of the bolts and the saidribs cooperating with the web of the rail to prevent bending of thebolt.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

JOHN CLANCY.

